When you consider the French nation, you think of fashion and style. But there seems to be one new fashion trend where the French are lagging behind and what is all the more surprising is that they are now being beaten by the Australians! Summer in France can be very hot, especially in the south and some form of protection or shade is important to have the ability to enjoy the “outdoor life”.

No wonder that, during the summer time, the local DIY centres are stacked out with “shade solutions” – pergolas, parasols and awnings to assist in generating shade The majority of of us don’t have the years of patience required to grow an old vine or wisteria which would provide the “ideal shade solution” – no we need a quicker, man-made solution – but still one that has plenty of style…

The corner of your garage is not a good place to store all your important “stuff”, like tools. But, you can’t just get rid of it. A better solution is to build a wooden shed in your backyard. And the best part – it can be easily done in a matter of only two day (assuming you already have all the materials purchased from the local supply store.) Here’s how:

Day 1 – Foundation and Framing

First things first – preparing the site. The site should be fairly level. However it is best to have a slight pitch downward towards the back for optimum water runoff. Next, get rid of any large rocks or debris. You want the foundation to be as smooth as possible. And, since this is only a 2-day project, you will have to make your shed with a wood floor, preferably skids, instead of a concrete floor. If you do want a concrete foundation, allow a few extra days to your plan to allow for drying. The advantages of building a wooden floor are its faster, cheaper, easier and more portable. Now use patio (or cinder) blocks for which to rest the frame of the floor. Make sure they are level.